Pendle

Higham man took his own life

A FORMER salesman from Pendle who endured a lifelong battle with depression eventually ‘had enough’, an inquest heard.

Graham Clayton, 59, of Haddings Head Cottages, Higham, who formerly ran his own business selling wood-burning stoves, was on medication for the condition for nearly 40 years, Burnley Coroner’s Court was told.

His wife, Ann, left Mr Clayton for an annual visit to her sister in Scotland, but left meals and medication for him.

But the inquest heard that when she returned, he had not been taking his tablets and had been drinking.

He also borrowed money from friends which Mrs Clayton sought to return.

She came back on June 28 to find her husband with a self-inflicted neck injury. Mr Clayton was pronounced dead a short time later.

Speaking about the last year of his life, Mrs Clayton said: “He became obsessed with his aches and pains and that wasn’t like Graham. In the end, I think he had had enough.”